Topic 7: Integration and separatism

Separatism as a result of colonialism?

It was no surprise that in some of African states, separatism as a form of nationalism became a natural phenomenon. Separatism is usually a tendency of one group to separate a part of a territory of a state from the rest of the country in order to create a new independent state (secession) or an effort to unite an ethno-cultural community in one political entity (irredentism). In postcolonial era, Africa witnessed several of such separatist movements with varying level of success. Katanga, Biafra, Eritrea, to new a few, were the most challenging to the integrity of states in Congo/Zaïre, Nigeria, and Ethiopia respectively. Multi-ethnic character of societies and their cultural diversity are not themselves causes of separatism but form at least their important basis. Separatist tendencies are very often perceived in strictly ethnic connotations, but it is not necessarily the case every time. For instance, people inhabiting the Comoro islands belong to one ethno-linguistic community but in 1997–2002, an island of Ndzuwami formed a de facto semi-independent quasi-state.

Some of the nationalist/separatist movements proved their effectiveness after decades of clashes while others did not reach any goal or demand in the same time frame. There can be obviously multiple reasons but one of the main is the internationally rooted proclamation of indivisibility of African states guaranteed by the UN as well as by the OAU and the AU. This is the reason why still the only two successful separatist/nationalist movements are Eritrea (which was formed within the borders of former self-named Italian colony), and South Sudan, for whose independence there was an enormous international support caused by almost fifty years of civil war. In the same logic, Western Sahara, whose territory lies in what was formerly known as Spanish colony of Rio de Oro, is eligible for independence but many other factors are against it. When the Republic of Somaliland proclaimed independence in 1991, it was justified by the “colonial” borders it had.

Another group of nationalist and separatist movements are those who demand certain territory inside existing states without any “colonial” boundaries as Eritrea, Somaliland, or Western Sahara. Ethno-regional and nationalist struggle inside heterogeneous states can be witnessed in places where there does not exist an equal distribution of wealth, where certain group is marginalized or oppressed or where there are other, for instance, international interests involved. There we may count the movement in Congolese province of Katanga in the era of early independence. The then head of Katanga, Moïse Tshombe, supported by Belgian military forces and secret service, as well as by CIA, proclaimed independence of Katanga. Another, and still recent, example can be found in Senegal, where Movement of democratic Forces of Casamance (MFDC) seeks independence of this southern region from the rest of the country. Its action is, according to its proclamations, justified by historical marginalization accompanied by economic exploitation and religious as well as cultural oppression from the side of the Wolof who form a ruling majority of Senegal. Strategy of this movement is derived from economic marginalization. Moreover, the leader of the MFDC, Abbot Diamancouné, refuses to speak about “separatism” as according to him Casamance has never belonged to Senegal but is closely related to cultural history of neighboring Guinea-Bissau.